This wine, from the brothers at Henry of Pelham in Niagara, is exactly what consumers want in a Chardonnay. It is big and generous, but also not overdone. It's also made in a classical style, but with new world drinkability. This is a Chard for Chard-lovers.The colour is already showing some deeper yellow hues from elevage. Nice, medium lemony yellow.Aromas are sappy and rich. Lemon curd, pineapple, nectarine, apple jelly, and pie crust.It is rich on the palate, but with some great pure fruit. More rich apple pie notes, with lemon, stone fruit, atulfo, and pineapple.The oak does come through, but this will meld with time. There is some toasted coconut, vanilla cream, and oats. It saw a 40% new Allier oak barrels and 60% second-use oak.This Chard was cropped at 2 Tonnes per acre; meaning the vines were forced to produce a tinier amount of extra concentrated fruit. This is a shining example of quality Niagara wine that would be fun to follow for a few years.

Pale yellow straw colour. Creamy apple tart aroma and taste, with medium long finish. A well-executed Chardonnay that falls within the goldilocks range of not too much buttery acidity and not too much oak. Score 92.(S.Segard, reviewed Nov.19, 2017)

Absolutely Burgundian nose, with a touch more new oak. On the palate, it shares some characteristics with Burgundy, but the oak once again is more full. A medium char on the oak makes it stand out. A nutty note late in the game adds additional complexity.

Tropical aromas and lots of oak on this one with some nut and vanilla on the palette. Full-bodied mouth feel with a very long finish. Pair with a creamy seafood pasta dish, buttery lobster or smoked salmon.

Tasted November 19, 2017

Henry of Pelham, Speck Family Reserve (2016) is a creamy, toasty and nutty Chardonnay from the Short Hills Bench in the Niagara Escarpment wine region. Look for ripe apples, stonefruit, butterscotch and cake spice flavours on this Chardonnay from a warmer vintage. - Community Wine Reviews

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